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The differences between handle machine operators and mill operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mill operator has an average salary of $39,045, which is higher than the $29,598 average annual salary of a handle machine operator.
The top three skills for a handle machine operator include forklifts, cranes and production lines. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.
| Handle Machine Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $29,598 | $39,045 |
| Hourly rate | $14.23 | $18.77 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 110,258 | 64,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency. They also create resolution records for reference and manage maintenance standards to prevent downtimes. A handle machine operator must have excellent mechanical skills, especially on identifying machine problems and following specifications.
Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials. They must operate a wide variety of equipment such as power saws, sanders, drill press, and basic hand tools while performing regular maintenance and troubleshooting on the milling machines. Mill operators must also attend safety meetings that are held weekly and monthly to ensure machine operators are following safety procedures.
Handle machine operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Handle Machine Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average salary | $29,598 | $39,045 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $36,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Land O'Lakes | Freeport-McMoRan |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Construction |
There are a few differences between a handle machine operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:
| Handle Machine Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between handle machine operators' and mill operators' demographics:
| Handle Machine Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |